Yeah. That was true in the '80s and it's more true today. IIRC, the S14 had more *peak* HP and torque than any other E30 offering in the US, but you wouldn't know it at low RPM. It was peaky and you had to get it past 4000 to really get going. People have conjectured that the driving experience is what led to sluggish sales. Some of those cars sat on lots for months...I can't even begin to imagine.

The first time I drove one, I had had my E36 for a while, and I was pretty bored as we made our way out of the neighborhood. It wasn't until I could unwind the engine that I understood why the car was so awesome. Track and autocross drivers talk about "momentum driving" with that car because it won't win many drag races, but it's a joy at the limits.

I think that's also why so many people put effort into uncorking the engine. The S14 can make quite a lot more power with a little effort.

Ironically, I don't have so much of an issue with the power. But I'm kind of at a point where the very act of working the engine is what I find most pleasurable. Power doesn't really do a whole lot for me just because there is literally never enough. What I do kind of fantasize about doing, though, is getting a custom bellhousing for a 6spd made so that I can graft on a modern 6spd. More, tighter spaced gears would do a LOT for that engine.

I recognize the irony of this statement as the clear winner of the carmudgeons engine swap leader board.

While driving away from work tonight, I found myself "greeted" by a Civic Si (the '02-ish model) and a GTI at two different times, each one unable to resist revving their engines at me and pulling away after slowing down and blocking traffic in the adjacent lane.

I'd forgotten all about this aspect of M3 ownership. It takes me back to a day when JST came over to see me flailing away at the rear main seal of my busted S14, and he let me drive his E46 M3 on a brief errand. Back then, of course, it was a current-model car, and the number of stares, middle fingers, and other gestures of gratitude really surprised me.

Oh well. My first "mod" last night was to find the old ///M3 key fob that I used with my '88, and maybe my '99.

While driving away from work tonight, I found myself "greeted" by a Civic Si (the '02-ish model) and a GTI at two different times, each one unable to resist revving their engines at me and pulling away after slowing down and blocking traffic in the adjacent lane.

I'd forgotten all about this aspect of M3 ownership. It takes me back to a day when JST came over to see me flailing away at the rear main seal of my busted S14, and he let me drive his E46 M3 on a brief errand. Back then, of course, it was a current-model car, and the number of stares, middle fingers, and other gestures of gratitude really surprised me.

I hated that shit with the 1M. It was really bad for the first year and a half or so. I had people getting out of their cars at stoplights and taking pictures of me and my car with their phone on a couple different occasions. Hasn't happened in awhile thankfully. Still get the revvers from time to time though.

I don't recall too much attention, but I do get some questions about debaging it.

I think I'm going to debadge mine as well, right after its first oil change (fingerscrossednocopperplease) and coolant temp sensor change.

Oh, yeah -- the coolant temp. We used the OBD diagnostic menu to monitor the coolant during my test drive, where we found the coolant temp dipping as low as 68 degrees C. Weaver Motorsports (selling dealer, big thumbs up) replaced it for me and I drove home. Now the temperature hovers steadily at 75, going as high as 78 or so before coming back down. Fan clutch seems fine, water pump is not wobbly (and must be working anyway). Infrared thermometer shows surface temperatures of about 85C at the hose inlet to the thermostat, as well as the engine block right next to the sensor. I'm going to change the sensor, which gives me an excuse to remove the intake manifold and clean/explore down there anyway.

Unfortunately no, I don't think. You'll need an OBD scan tool for that. If you search for "E46 secret menu" you'll find instructions for accessing the diagnostics. You may also want to watch a YouTube video, as the instructions are probably only clear to a German.

NB: While the instructions all say to hold the Trip Reset button while turning the key to "on," you can access the menu any time the key is in the "on" position by just holding down Trip Reset long enough. You can get there while the car is running.

Quote:

Instructions to access the hidden OBC functions:
1. Hold Trip Reset while turning ignition key to on position
2. OBC should show "Test"
3. Use Trip Reset to select function 19.0 that unlocks all the features
3. Wait for display to show "Off"
4. Depress Trip Reset for 1/4 second and release it
5. With no delay press Trip Reset several times to select one of the following function s
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